One item in the new CBA that has slipped below the radar over the last few days was uncovered by Peter King of SI.com: Players that suffer career-ending injuries will have more protection.
In the past, a rookie that suffered a career-ending injury during the regular season could keep his first-year salary and signing bonus. Under the new rules, players can get $1.5 million maximum in injury protection.
So if the rest of the rookie’s contract in years two-through-four totaled more than $1.5 million, he would get $1.5 million. If the remainder of the rookie’s contract was less than $1.5 million, he would get all the money due to him.
That’s a nice added wrinkle which will help players that need long-term help.